In a message dated 1/18/99 1:56:34 PM Central Standard Time,
prith001@MC.DUKE.EDU writes:
<< For several years prior to 1997, dissatisfaction had been growing among the boards of directors of AAOP, ABC, and AOPA about the National Office function (NOF). This applies to the NOF as distinct to the individual organizations themselves (AAOP, ABC, etc.). This dissatisfaction related to growth of staff (the NOF has been the fastest growing entity in the national office), increased expense of the NOF, and quality of service by the NOF to the constituent organizations. Concern was also growing about a lack of responsiveness and accountability. These issues center on some very touchy matters with dangerous legal implications, >>
This has a very familiar ring about it. I remember being involved in a NOF
reorganization and hiring of new NOF Executive Director (President) when I was
AAOP President 1988-89.
At that time it was decided that the three organizations would have the
responsibility for the day to day operations of the NOF through a NOF board.
What happened to that board or its functions that allowed the NOF to have “a
lack of responsiveness and accountability?” This is not finger pointing only
asking questions about when the change occurred. At that time there was much
discussion about not letting what happened before happen again.
The Academy went through a process with the guidance of Ira Schoenwold, Ph.D.
about the dynamics of organizations like ours and how they function. During
that process we addressed the issue of leadership positions of NOF staff and
how it is important to change leadership staff after a period of time to
prevent the very problems you say we are again facing.
>>Some individuals elected to participate. Unfortunately, a number if
individuals whose opinion would have been valuable choose not to
participate.>>
I disagree. I feel that many individuals would have liked to participate and
many would have had something to contribute. However, circumstance beyond
their control and in part not being better informed about what was going on
prevented their participation. They did not choose not to participate. I know
this to be true for myself.
>>>The purpose of the meeting was to give everybody a chance to air their
concerns and issues and to similarly hear the concerns and issues of all the
other participants. The feeling was that this airing of concerns would be a
good representation of the concerns of the membership at large and that the
information gathered would be valuable in drafting the bylaws and structure of
any new organization.>>>
Keeping the membership informed has always been an issue with our
organizations. My using this public forum to ask my questions may be seen my
some in the organizations as inappropriate and out of line. I can assure my
purpose “is not to speak out of school” but to open a dialog among the
membership that might not be able to participate in the discussions at the
AAOP or AOPA meetings. There is also a limited amount of time afforded these
discussions at the meetings and not everyone that does attend has an
opportunity to speak.
This List is an opportunity for the on-line membership to review and comment
without being pressed for time, and It offers the leadership monitoring the
List the opportunity to know the thoughts of their constituents so that they
can act in the best interests of the majority.
>>This draft is being revised and will be reviewed again by the steering
committee. Once this process is completed the results will be communicated to
the membership.>>
I would urge the Leadership to use this wonderful tool called the Internet to
keep us the membership informed on this issue and others. I know that AOPA has
a password site for information and the same could be done for keeping all the
membership informed about this issue on a timely bases.
>>While I personally don’t know all the details, it is my understanding that
open debate and discussion about the matter will occur at the AAOP meeting in
New Orleans.>>
By using this tool it will save time and make for a more productive meeting on
this topic at the AAOP meeting if some of the issues are hammered out in this
open forum before then.
>>The membership of AAOP and AOPA will vote on the issue in the late summer
early fall.>>
I hope by then there will be an answer to my earlier question about how this
vote will be taken and who will vote for ABC.
Again thank you for taking the time to address our questions in this new forum
for our organizations.
Al Pike, CP
